Musical instrument of the percussion type

ABSTRACT

Percussion instruments, typically kettledrums, are disclosed, wherein a plurality of adjustments are provided for, notably by a construction wherein a percussion head is carried on the drum and is subject to be variably tensioned; a plurality of tension members are disposed in spaced-apart relation peripherally of the drum and interconnect said head and a master tuning member; there being a pitch control for said member, disposed for ready access by a player at a given location, and having a mounting pivot at said location, and coupled to said master tuning member whereby to actuate the tension members in unison and vary the tension on the percussion head; and a supplemental fine tuning adjuster is disposed for ready access by the player at the same location; and, in typical embodiments, the instrument includes a base, and a frame mounted on the base for rotation relative thereto about the drum axis and having means supporting the drum so that rotation of the frame carries the drum and head therewith; and in the preferred arrangement there is a drum rotating control disposed at a location for ready operation by the player, comprising a motion-reducing mechanism, said mechanism preferably having an irreversible connection. Other features are shown, in combination with one or more of the foregoing, such as: a pitch indicator observable by the player, individual adjustments for the tension members, a foot-pedal pitch control pivoted at the heel end and normally set at a moderate angle to the horizontal, and means whereby the construction drums of different sizes.

United States Patent '1 [1 1 Hinger [451 July 24,1973

[ MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OF THE PERCUSSION TYPE [76] Inventor: Fred D.Hinger, 357 Hilltop Ave.,

Leonia, NJ. 07605 [22] Filed: Aug. 14, 1970 [21] Appl. N0.: 63,692

[52] U.S. Cl. 84/419 [51] Int. Cl. Gl0d 13/04 [58] Field of Search84/411, 419

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,608,418 9/1971 Chaffee eta1. 84/419 1,312,771 8/1919 Vogeler 84/419 1,282,406 10/1918 Gardner84/419 3,279,299 10/1966 Murbach 84/419 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS458,236 7/1950 Italy 84/419 15,199 3/1881 Germany 84/419 1,024,3212/1958 Germany 84/419 6,412,329 4/1966 Netherlands 84/419 PrimaryExaminer-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-John F. GonzalesAttorney-Synnestvedt & Lechner [57] ABSTRACT Percussion instruments,typically kettledrums, are'disclosed, wherein a plurality of adjustmentsare provided for, notably by a construction wherein a percussion head iscarried on the drum and is subject to be variably tensioned; a pluralityof tension members are disposed in spaced-apart relation peripherally ofthe drum and interconnect said head and a master tuning member; therebeing a pitch control for said member, disposed for ready access by aplayer at a given location, and having a mounting pivot at saidlocation, and coupled to said master tuning member whereby to actuatethe tension members in unison and vary the tension on the percussionhead; and a supplemental fine tuning adjuster is disposed for readyaccess by the player at the same location; and, in typical embodiments,the instrument includes a base, and a frame mounted on the base forrotation relative thereto about the drum axis and having meanssupporting the drum so that rotation of the frame carries the drum andhead therewith; and in the preferred arrangement there is a drumrotating control disposed at a location for ready operation by theplayer, comprising a motion-reducing mechanism, said mechanismpreferably having an irreversible connection. Other features are shown,in combination with one or more of the foregoing, such as: a pitchindicator observable by the player, individual adjustments for thetension members, a foot-pedal pitch control pivoted at the heel end andnormally set at a moderate angle to the horizontal, and means wherebythe construction drums of different sizes.

16 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures I MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OF THE PERCUSSIONTYPE This invention relates to musical instruments of the percussiontype, and particularly to adjustable percussion instruments such as usedin orchestras and bands, being especially adaptable to and useful indrums, particularly kettledrums, also termed timpani.

The principal object of the invention is the improvement of theconstruction and operation of percussion instruments, especially withrespect to the adjustability, versatility, tunability, tone quality,facility of use, durability and ease of manufacture of such instruments,especially of the kettledrum type.

More specifically, the invention contemplates the provision of apercussion instrument, typically a kettledrum, wherein a plurality ofadjustments may be made by the player, with exceptional ease, andespecially wherein general changes of pitch of the instrument, and finetuningfor accuracy of intonation, can be easily and quicklyaccomplished.

Still further, the invention contemplates the provision, in suchinstruments, of general and fine tuning by the player together with thecapability of additional adjustments at different peripheral locationsaround the head of the instrument.:

Still further, the invention contemplates the provision of one or moresuch features, together with the feature of rotative adjustment of thedrum about its axis, relative to the basestructure of the instrument, sothat different parts of the playing headof the instrument may be readilybrought in'position for access to the player.

Additionally, the invention contemplates constructional features andarrangements in the instrument, so characterized that two or-moreof theavailable adjustments can be made by the player from the position wherehe sits or stands when playing the instrument.

The invention further provides for the combination of a rotativeadjustability of adrum member, about its axis, relative to a basemember, and-a rotative adjustability of a percussion head memberrelative to said drum member.

Besides such features as adjustability, versatility, tunability, andfacility of use, the construction provides an improvement in tonequality, and further, the maintenance of a high quality of tone, evenafter considerable periods of wear of the percussion head, by virtue ofthe ready capability of the rotation of head member and drum member,whereby unworn areas of the head member are readily brought intoposition for playing thereon.

A further feature of the invention resides in the capability thatmultiple adjustments of the instrument may be easily and quickly made,from one location of the player, preferably also with the arrangement ofa pitch indicator readily visible from the same location, and preferablyalso in conjunction with means to prevent maladjustment or undesireddisturbance of any of the adjustments.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the simplicity and theease of manufacture of various parts of the instrument, and the easewith which drum members and head members of different sizes may be utiofthe other parts of the instrument.

How the foregoing objects and advantages are obtained by means of thepresent invention will appear more clearly from the followingdescription of the presently preferred embodiment, and of an alternativeembodiment, of the present invention, taken together with theaccompanying drawings, illustrating said embodiments, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a kettledrum embodying myinvention, the view being taken from the left side, considered withrelation to the position occupied by the artist when playing thekettledrum;

FIG. 2 is a similar view, taken from the position of the player (andthus viewed from the right of FIG. I) and showing certain details insection;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the kettledrum shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional plan, taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1,showing some of the chief structural parts beneath the kettle or drummember of the instrument;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the main tuning lever, also termed combininglever, with certain associated parts shown in section and others inelevation, taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the mounting base andcertain of the members of the tuning adjustment system, with some partsin elevation;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional detail of an upper portion of thekettle, the drumhead, and associated parts;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectioned detail of a portion of the base frameand of one of the kettle supports, showing two features ofadjustability, and other details;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention,viewed from the right side of the position of the player (assuming thatthe player here is using only one kettledrum);

FIG. 10 is a sectional plan taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 1l-1l of FIG. 10,showing parts of two of the adjusting systems characterizing theinstrument.

While those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention, orcertain aspects of it, may well be adapted to other musical instruments,and particularly to other types of drums, the invention is especiallyadapted for use in kettledrums, and the drawings are all directed tokettledrum embodiments.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8, the adjustable percussion instrumentcomprises, in general, a drum member 12 in this instance a copper kettleof known type, which may have the customary opening 13 at the bottom.The kettle may, alternatively, be made of aluminum, or of afibreglass-reinforced plastic. The top of the kettle is closed by thepercussion head 14, which is carried on the drum member 12, and isadapted to be variably tensioned, in a manner hereinafter described. Thehead 14 may be of skin, plastic, or other suitable material, and inorchestral instruments it has been customary to make the head ofcalf-hide.

The instrument further comprises a base, or foundation structure, 15,which in the present instance is in the form of a casting havingacentral vertical tubular memberl6 (see FIG. 6) and four arms 17radiating therefrom (FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6), each arm having at its outerend a vertical pivot socket 18, adapted for the mounting of the uprightpin 19 of a swiveling caster 21.

Carried on the base is a frame structure 22 in the form of a ring whichis mounted for rotation relative to Tuning of the instrument both forquick general pitch change and for fine changes of intonation, isaccomplished through a master tuning member 24 which is verticallymovable, i.e., movable axially of the drum, by virtue of a central shaft25 which, at its upper end, carries the member 24, said shaft beingaxially slidable in the sleeve 16 of the base 15. The member 24 may bedescribed as a spider casting, having at its center a vertical sleeve26, with a recess or socket 27 to receive the thrust collar 28, uponwhich bears the retaining nut 29 which is screwed on to the upper end ofshaft 25, so that said shaft and hence the spider may be pulleddownwardly, and held in any position of adjustment, by means'hereafterto be described. The sleeve 26 is capable of rotative movement (with thedrum member 12 and other parts) about the shaft 25, as will later bedescribed.

The spider member 24 carriesa peripheral series of arms 31 (in this caseeight in number) each of which is connected with the percussion head 14through an associated tension member 32. The plurality of tensionmembers, thus provided, are disposed in spaced-apart relation,peripherally of the instrument, and of course with clearance relative tothe kettle 12.

The connection of each tension member 32, at its lower end, to theassociated spider arm 31 (as best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6) is by meansof a threaded end 33, which passes through a slot 34 in the spider arm,and is screwed into a transverse aperture in the pivot pin 35 which isrockablewithin an aperture extending tangential to the spider. 'Theconnection of the upper end of each tension member 32 to the drumheadwill be best understood by reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 7, showing themounting of the kettle itself, and the relationship of the drumheadthereto. In this regard, it will be seen from FIG. 7 (and from thesectioned portion at the upper left corner of FIG. 2) that three annularmembers 36, 37 and 38 are employed at the periphery of the kettle 12.The member 36 is a mounting hoop, on which the outwardly turned flangestructure 39 of the kettle l2 rests. This hoop 36 is carried on the fourupstanding arms 23 previously referred to, by means of the forked upperends 41 on said arms, to which the hoop 36 is'securely fastened as byscrews 42. The lower ends of arms-23 have brackets 43 which are rigidlysecured by bolts 44 to the rotatably-adjustable base ring 22. Thus, thekettle 12, the base 22, the supporting arms 23 and the hoop 36 are allrigidly secured together.

The percussion head 14 may also be considered as including the ring 37,since the skin portion of the head is extended outwardly at theperiphery, to pass over and be looped around the ring 37, as shown at45. The tensioning of the head, for both coarse and fine tuning, is donethrough the medium of the ring 38, which, as shown in FIG. 7, is anangle member in cross-section,

having a horizontal flange 38a bearing upon the head and ring assembly14, 37.

The pull of the tension rods32 downwardly upon the percussion head is bymeans of a series of double-angle brackets 46. The upper in-turnedflange 46a of each bracket bears upon the horizontal flange 38a of thering. The lower, out-turned flange 46b is apertured to receive thetension rod 32 which fixedly carries a head seated on the flange 46b.The head has a squared portion 47, so that a wrench or other tool may beused for turning the rod, and thus in effect lengthening or shorteningthe connection between the percussion head and the tuning spider 24, byvirtue of the threaded connection 33 with the pivot pin 35. Thisadjustment is used to equalize or otherwise adjust the tension imposedupon different parts of the drumhead.

By loosening or releasing the threaded connection 33, 35, the brackets46 may be slipped off of the ring 38, so that the ring itself may belifted off, and a worn drumhead may be removed and a new onesubstituted. By this arrangement it is also possible to turn thedrumheadrelative to the kettle, which provides a rotative adjustmentsupplementary to the adjustment of the kettle about its own axis ashereinafter described.

The tuning controls are mounted on the base of the instrument, andcomprise what may be termed a general pitch change mechanism, including,for example, a device conveniently located for operation by the foot ofthe player (to change the pitch of the kettledrum, for example from C toE, or to G, or to various other notes of the scale, within the compassof the instrument), and a supplemental fine tuning control, including,for example, a rotatable handle so located relative to the playersposition that he can readily turn the handle and get a vernieradjustment, so as to bring the kettledrum to an accurate concert pitchfor any given setting of the general pitch control; since the pitch, asset by the foot control, tends to be altered by temperature, humidity,and other factors.

Both of thecontrols here under discussion operate through the sametension rods 32, and indeed through the master tuning member 24 and itsvertical shaft 25. This is done through the medium of a combining leveror rockerarm 48 (seen best in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6). Through thislever the motions derived from the foot control and the hand control maybe simultaneously (though more generally successively) combined,additively or substractively, as will now appear.

The lever 48 is disposed beneath the base 15. At a point intermediatethe ends of the lever it is pivotally mounted on the bottom of verticalshaft 25 by means of the pivot pin 49. This is conveniently accomplishedby casting the lever with a semi-cylindrical boss 51 (seen in plan viewin FIG. 5 and in elevation in FIG. 6), the flat side of which abutsagainst the flat face of the semi-cylindrical portion 25a of the shaft25, at the lower end of the latter.

Large adjustments of the lever 48, and hence of the tension on thedrumhead, through the other parts hereinabove described, areaccomplished by moving the left-hand end of the lever (as seen in FIG.6) through the medium of the roller 52, pivoted at 53, and a cam 54,co-operating with said roller and fixed upon a rockshaft 55 which ispivoted in the vertical web structure 56 of one arm 17 of the base 15.

At the opposite end of the lever 48 (the right-hand end in FIG. 6) thereis a slot or socket 57 in which is seated the lower, threaded, end, 58of a fine tuning rod 59, which passes through an aperture 61 in the armstructure 17 of the base 15, said threaded end 58 being screwed througha pivot pin 62 rockably mounted in the fixed vertical structure 56 of anarm 17 of the base It will now be clear that by turning the rockshaft 55in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 6, the left hand endof lever 48 will be moved downwardly (while the threaded rod end 58serves as a fulcrum for the lever) and such action will pull shaft 25downwardly, lowering all of the tension rods 32 simultaneously andequally. On the other hand, if shaft 55 is held stationary, so that cam54 serves as a fulcrum for lever 48, rotation of the fine tuning rod 59,in such direction that the threaded part 58 (screwing down through pivot62) pushes downwardly on the right hand end of lever 48, will impart arelatively slight downward motion to central shaft 25 and thus to allthe tension rods 32 equally.

Since the percussion head 14 is always under tension, when in use, thetendency of the rods 32 is to lift the spider 24 and vertical shaft 25,thus tending to pull the lever 48 upwardly, by means of pivot 49, andsuch action will take place to a greater or lesser degree, if the cam 54is turned clockwise by means of shaft 55, or if the rod 59 is so turnedthat the threaded part 58 is screwed upwardly in its pivot 62. Thecontrols for so actuating the lever 48 will now be described.

. As viewed in FIG. 1, the player sits or stands at the right of theinstrument (or as viewed inFIG. 2, he is on the near side of theinstrument), if he is playing one kettledrum only, so that, in thisembodiment, the pitchadjusting foot pedal 63 is conveniently accessibleto the left foot of the player. At its heel end, the pedal 63 has lugs64 fixedly secured on rockshaft 65 which is pivotally mounted in a solidbracket 66 rigidly fastened at 67 to one of the arms 17 of the base. Theend of shaft 65 farthest from the pedal 63 is also pivoted in a bracket68, bolted at 69 to another of the arms 17 of the base. This assemblymay be reversed, so that the pedal is on the right, so that right andleft arrangements are available, for use when the performer is utilizinga plurality of kettledrums. v

Near the latter end of shaft 65 is fixed a forked lever 71, to which ispivoted, at 72, one end of a link 73, which generally parallels thecombining lever 48. As best seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the opposite endof link 73 is pivoted at 74 to a lever 75 fixedly secured to therockshaft 55 which carries the cam 54.

Through the mechanism just described, the movement of the foot pedal 63is transmitted to the cam 54 and thence to the roller 52 and combininglever 48. Normally, the position of the foot pedal 63 is fixed. Thisfixation is accomplished by means ofa latch member 76 (FIG. 4) fixed toa pivot pin 77, mounted on pedal 63 by a bracket 78. A compressionspring 79 urges the latch 76 into engagement with the fixed toothedquadrant 81, which is bolted at 82 to the fixed bracket 66. However, aseries of pitch changes may be made, quickly, while the latch is heldoff" by the foot;

- which is feasible because of the pivoting of the pedal at the heelposition.

To operate the foot pedal 63, the player moves the side of his footagainst the lever 83 (fixed on pivot pin 77), and thus swings the latch76 out of contact with the teeth of the quadrant. The player may thenincrease the tension on the drumhead by pressing down on the foot pedal63, until the kettledrum is set at the desired higher pitch. If hewishes a lower pitch, he releases the latch 76 by means of the laterallever 83, and allows the pedal 63 to rise the desired amount, which itwill do by virtue of the tension at the drumhead.

A visual indication of the pitch setting is given by the mechanism nowto be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 8. An indicatingquadrant 84, carrying pitch indicia on studs 85, is located to the leftand in full view of the player, it being mounted in that position bymeans of an upright post 86, the bottom end of said post being securedat 87 to an arm '17 of the base 15 (as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 8). Apitch indicating pointer 88, which is one arm of a bellcrank having anactuating arm 89, is pivoted at 91 on the post 86, and is actuated by alink 92 pivoted at 93 to arm 89 and at 94 to an arm 95 fixed onrockshaft 65. The operation of this indicator is thus directly tied tothe actuation of the general pitch setting mechanism by the foot pedal.

The fine tuning adjustment (as seen from FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6) isaccomplished by means of the rotatable handle 96, disposed immediatelyin front of the player, and fastened on the upper end of the fine tuningrod 59, whose threaded lower end 58 was heretofore described inconnection with its association with the combining lever 48 (FIG. 6).The upper end of rod 59 is braced by its passing through an aperture ina plate 97, carried by an upstanding bracket 98 which is rigidly securedon an arm 17 of the base, by bolts 99.

In order that the tautness of the drumhead may be substantially uniformover its entire area, the squared heads 47 may be individually turned,and thus the effective length of the tension rods 32 individuallyadjusted, whereby the double-angle brackets 46 will impose the desiredinitial tension upon different portions of the ring members 38 and 37and thus the skin or drumhead proper 14. Once that adjustment isproperly made, the general changes of pitch and the fine tuningadjustments can be readily and quickly made by the player, by means ofthe foot pedal 63 and the hand lever or crank 96.

Another significant adjustment, heretofore briefly dealt with, is therotative adjustment of the kettle and drumhead assembly, relative to thebase 15 and all those parts mounted upon or fixedly associated with thebase structure 15. For a fuller understanding of this feature, referenceshould be had to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, from which it will be seen that therotating frame, formed as a ring 22, which carries the kettle l2 and thepercussion-head assembly by means of the four arms 23, is mounted on theupper face of the four radiating arms 17 of the base structure 15. Theframe ring 22 is centralized with respect to the base, by means of theupstanding integral lugs 101 formed on said base, and is held in placeby four retainer plates or keepers 102 which are secured as by capscrews 103.

As the skin or other covering forming the playing surface of thedrumhead wears thin in one area, where it is played upon by themusician, or if one area is stretched by the beating of the malletsthereon, the kettle and associated parts may be rotated as one unit,simply by easing up on the cap screws 103 and loosening the fine tuningadjustment control 96, and then turning the ring-like frame member 22,and hence the assembly mounted thereon, until a different area ofplaying surface is disposed in position for the drummer to play thereon.This rotative adjustment, carries with it the master tuning spider 24,and the tension members 32,

and associated parts, so that none of those parts need be disassembled.At the same time, there is no change made in the relative positions ofthe player, the base, and all those parts normally associated with thebase, such as the foot pedal 63, the hand tuner 96, and the pitchindicator 84, 85, etc.

A further feature of this embodiment, resides in the capability ofutilizing kettle and drurnhead assemblies of different diameters, whileretaining, unchanged, all other parts of the instrument. This advantageis accomplished by having'a radial series of bolt holes 104 (seeparticularly FIG. 8) whereby each kettle supporting arm 23 may bemounted at several different positions, radially, with respect to thecenter of the instrument. Thereby, a kettle 12 of perhaps 29 or 30inches maximum diameter may be substituted for a kettle of 32 inchesdiameter, for instance. Hence, all parts of the instrument can bestandardized, for kettle drums of various different sizes and pitchranges, excepting only for the kettles l2 themselves, and the associatedrings 36, 37 and 38 and playing head 14.

By reference now to FIGS. 9, l and 11, representing the presentlypreferred construction, it will be seen that many of the elements of theinstrument are similar to those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8.Accordingly, identical reference characters are used on some parts, andsimilar reference characters, with suffixes, are used on others, andvarious parts and details are omitted, or left un-numberedas beingunnecessary to the complete understanding of this embodiment.

In this instance, besides having the general pitch change adjustmentcontrol and the fine tuning control both located so as to be accessibleto the player when he sits at one side of the instrument, the rotatingadjustment of the kettle and playing head assembly is made regulable,from the same side as the other two controls, byaneans of a knurledhandwheel.

In this embodiment, the foot pedal 63a is disposed toward the right ofthe player's position (if he be assumed to be playing one kettledrum),and the handwheel control 105 is disposed slightly toward the left,while the fine tuningcontrol lever 96a is disposed centrally in front ofthe player. A combining lever 48a is used, and the general tuning isagain done by a cam 54a and by a threaded rotatable rod 59a having athreaded lower end 58a. The connections from the foot pedal 63a to thecam shaft 55a involve a modified linkage, due to the different locationof various parts, but the principles involved are essentially the sameas in the embodiment first described. As seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, thislinkage comprises a link 63b connected at 63c to the foot pedal 63:: andat its other end at 63d to a lever 63s secured on the shaft 550-.

In the form presently under consideration, the rotating frameof theinstrument is in the form of a disk 22a mounted on top of the base a.

Rotational adjustment of the kettle l2 and playing head surface 14, issecured through a wormwheel 106 (FIG. 11), fixed to base member 22a byscrews 110, and actuated by a worm 107 mounted on a rotatable shaft 108,pivoted in bearings 109, and turned by the knurled wheel 105. Theemployment of the worm and wormwheel adjustment is advantageous not onlybecause of the ease of adjustment but also because it is self-locking asagainst unintentional change of setting,

such as might occur were someone to exert a turning force on the kettleitself.

The individual adjustment of the tensioning rods 32 is accomplished, asin the other embodiment, by applying a tool to the squared headsthereon.

In dealing with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8 inclusive, the pedal 63has been referred to as being for operation by the left foot of theplayer, and the fine tuning lever 96 has been referred to as beingdirectly in front of the player; and in referring to the embodiment ofFIGS. 9 to 11, it has been said that the pedal 63a is in position foroperation by the right foot of the player, the fine tuning control 96abeing again directly in front of the player. It should be understoodthat these descriptions refer to the situation where only a singlekettledrum is being used. More often, the player is work ing with atleast a pair of kettledrums of different sizes and ranges of pitch.

In such a case, a kettledrum with a right-hand pedal would be placedclose to the player on his left, and a kettle-drum with a left-handpedal would be placed just to his right. Under those conditions, whatwas above described as a right pedal would be operated by the left footof the player, and the pedal heretofore designated as a left" pedalwould be operated by the right foot of the player. of course, thekettledrum of either embodiment is readily capable of assembly with thepedal control located either toward the right or toward the left. Thesignificant thing is that the adjusting devices in general are disposedfor ready access from one position, and the visual pitch indicatingdevice is also readily seen from the same position.

Another feature of advantage is involved in the mounting and dispositionof the pedal. It is pivoted adjacent the heel position of the player,and has but a moderate slope in its average position of adjustment, sothat the player can operate it with a tilting motion of the foot, about.the ankle joint, and does not have to raise and lower the leg from thehip joint, as is necessary with certain prior known constructions.

It will be noted that the adjustment devices involve motion-reducingmechanism. This is true of all of the tuning devices (in both of theillustrated embodiments) and it is also true of the rotationaladjustment through worm and wormwheel, in the embodiment of FIGS. 9 to11. Such mechanism aids in obtaining accurate adjustments, withoutdifficulty; and, in the case of the tuning adjustments, it makes itfeasible for the player to change general pitch, or to get an accurateintonation, quickly, during his performance, without having to becorrespondingly cautious in his foot or hand movements.

In both embodiments, the combining lever arrangement, in conjunctionwith control systems wherein an element of each system may serve as afulcrum (respectively at opposite ends of said lever), provides anextremely simple mechanism for obtaining the desired results.

Besides the advantages heretofore stated, it should be added that theseparation of the kettle from the foundationor base structure, bythe-intermediation of the rotative frame has resulted in improving thetonal characteristics of the instrument.

In view of the foregoing description, other advantages of the inventionwill appear to those skilled in the art of playing on percussioninstruments.

I claim:

1. An adjustable percussion instrument comprising a drum; a percussionhead carried on said drum and subject to be variably tensioned; a base;a frame mounted on said base for rotation relative thereto about thedrum axis and supporting said drum peripherally of the latter so thatrotation of said frame carries the drum and head therewith; a mastertuning member mounted for movement axially of said drum; a plurality oftension members disposed in spaced-apart relation peripherally of thedrum and interconnecting said head and said master tuning member; atuning control mounted on said base at a location for operation by theplayer, and coupled to said master tuning member by a central tensionconnection for moving said member axially of said drum, whereby toactuate said tension members in unison and vary the tension on saidpercussion head; a swivel in said connection; and a supplemental finetuning adjuster disposed for ready access by the player, and coupled tosaid master tuning member through said central tension connectionaxially.

2. The construction of claim 1 wherein the coupling of the tuningcontrol to the master tuning member includes a motion-reducing linkage.

'3. The construction of claim 2 wherein said linkage has an adjustablymovable fulcrum.

4. The construction of claim 3 wherein the supplemental fine tuningadjuster acts to move said fulcrum.

5. The construction of claim 1 wherein a drum rotating control isdisposed at a location for ready operation by the player.

6. The construction of claim 5 wherein said drum rotating controlincludes a motion-reducing mechanism.

7. The construction of claim 6 wherein said mechanism has a self-lockingconnection.

8. In an adjustable percussion instrument comprising a drum and apercussion head carried on said drum and subject to being variablytensioned; a master tuning member; a plurality of tension membersdisposed in spaced-apart relation peripherally of the drum andinterconnecting said head and said master tuning member; a pitch controllever for said master tuning member disposed for ready access by aplayer in a location at one side of the drum, said lever having amounting pivot also disposed at said side of the drum; said lever beingmovable on said pivot in an arc whose concave side is toward the playerslocation; linkage by which said lever is coupled to said master tuningmember whereby to actuate said tension members in unison so as toincrease the tension on said percussion head by a movement of said levergenerally forwardly away from the player; and a supplemental fine tuningadjuster located at the same side of the drum and operative upon saidmaster tuning member.

9. The construction of claim 8 wherein the pitch confor moving saidmember trol lever comprises a foot pedaLpivoted at the heel end thereof,and set at a moderate angle to the horizontal when in an intermediateposition of adjustment.

10. An adjustable percussion instrument comprising a drum and apercussion head carried on said drum and subject to being variablytensioned; a master tuning member; a plurality of tension membersdisposed in spaced-apart relation peripherally of the drum andinterconnecting said head and said master tuning member; a pitch controllever for said master tuning member disposed for ready access by aplayer in a location at one side of the drum, said lever having amounting pivot also disposed at said side of the drum; said lever beingmovable on said pivot in an arc whose concave side is toward the playerslocation; linkage by which said lever is coupled to said master tuningmember whereby to actuate said tension members in unison so as toincrease the tension on said percussion head by a movement of said levergenerally forwardly away from the player; and a supplemental fine tuningadjuster located at the same side of the drum; the instrument furthercomprising a base and a frame mounted on said base for rotation relativethereto about the drumaxis and supporting said drum so that rotation ofsaid frame carries the drum and head therewith but without correspondingmovement of the tuning control and fine tuning adjuster.

11. The construction of claim 10 having a drum r0- tating controldisposed also for ready access by said player at the same location.

12. An adjustable percussion instrument comprising a drum; a percussionhead carried on said drum and subject to be variably tensioned; a base;a frame mounted on said base for rotation relative thereto about thedrum axis and having means supporting said drumso that rotation of saidframe carries the drum and head therewith; a master tuning membermounted for movement axially of said drum and connected to said head; acentral tension adjustment means for moving said member axially of saiddrum; and a swivel connecting said master tuning member and said centraltension adjustment means. I

13. The construction of claim 12 wherein the drum supporting means areadjustable to accommodate drums of different sizes.

14. The construction of claim 12 wherein the drum has a general tuningcontrol and a time tuning adjuster, said control and said adjuster beingdisposed for access at the same player location, regardless of rotationof the frame.

15. The construction of claim 14 with a drum rotation control alsodisposed for access at the same location.

16. The construction of claim 12 with a pitch control lever coupled tosaid adjustment means, and also having a pitch indicator coupled to saidlever; said frame and drum supporting means being rotatable withoutuncoupling any of the (:the: parts set forth.

1. An adjustable percussion instrument comprising a drum; a percussion head carried on said drum and subject to be variably tensioned; a base; a frame mounted on said base for rotation relative thereto about the drum axis and supporting said drum peripherally of the latter so that rotation of said frame carries the drum and head therewith; a master tuning member mounted for movement axially of said drum; a plurality of tension members disposed in spaced-apart relation peripherally of the drum and interconnecting said head and said master tuning member; a tuning control mounted on said base at a location for operation by the player, and coupled to said master tuning member by a central tension connection for moving said member axially of said drum, whereby to actuate said tension members in unison and vary the tension on said percussion head; a swivel in said connection; and a supplemental fine tuning adjuster disposed for ready access by the player, and coupled to said master tuning member through said central tension connection for moving said member axially.
 2. The construction of claim 1 wherein the coupling of the tuning control to the master tuning member includes a motion-reducing linkage.
 3. The construction of claim 2 wherein said linkage has an adjustably movable fulcrum.
 4. The construction of claim 3 wherein the supplemental fine tuning adjuster acts to move said fulcrum.
 5. The construction of claim 1 wherein a drum rotating control is disposed at a location for ready operation by the player.
 6. The construction of claim 5 wherein said drum rotating control includes a motion-reducing mechanism.
 7. The construction of claim 6 wherein said mechanism has a self-locking connection.
 8. In an adjustable percussion instrument comprising a drum and a percussion head carried on said drum and subject to being variably tensioned; a master tuning member; a plurality of tension members disposed in spaced-apart relation peripherally of the drum and interconnecting said head and said master tuning member; a pitch control lever for said master tuning member disposed for ready access by a player in a location at one side of the drum, said lever having a mounting pivot also disposed at said side of the drum; said lever being movable on said pivot in an arc whose concave side is toward the player''s location; linkage by which said lever is coupled to said master tuning member whereby to actuate said tension members in unison so as to increase the tension on said percussion head by a movement of said lever generally forwardly away from the player; and a supplemental fine tuning adjuster located at the same side of the drum and operative upon said master tuning member.
 9. The construction of claim 8 wherein the pitch control lever comprises a foot pedal, pivoted at the heel end thereof, and set at a moderate angle to the horizontal when in an intermediate position of adjustment.
 10. An adjustable percussion instrument comprising a drum and a percussion head carried on said drum and subject to being variably tensioned; a master tuning member; a plurality of tension members disposed in spaced-apart relation peripherally of the drum and interconnecting said head and said master tuning member; a pitch control lever for said master tuning member disposed for ready access by a player in a location at one side of the drum, said lever having a mounting pivot also disposed at said side of the drum; said lever being movable on said pivot in an arc whose concave side is toward the player''s location; linkage by which said lever is coupled to said master tuning member whereby to actuate said tension members in unison so as to increase the tension on said percussion head by a movement of said lever generally forwardly away from the player; and a supplemental fine tuning adjuster located at the same side of the drum; the instrument further comprising a base and a frame mounted on said base for rotation relative thereto about the drum axis and supporting said drum so that rotation of said frame carries the drum and head therewith but without corresponding movement of the tuning control and fine tuning adjuster.
 11. The construction of claim 10 having a drum rotating control disposed also for ready access by said player at the same location.
 12. An adjustable percussion instrument comprising a drum; a percussion head carried on said drum and subject to be variably tensioned; a base; a frame mounted on said base for rotation relative thereto about the drum axis and having means supporting said drum so that rotation of said frame carries the drum and head therewith; a master tuning member mounted for movement axially of said drum and connected to said head; a central tension adjustment means for moving said member axially of said drum; and a swivel connecting said master tuning member and said central tension adjustment means.
 13. The construction of claim 12 wherein the drum supporting means are adjustable to accommodate drums of different sizes.
 14. The construction of claim 12 wherein the drum has a general tuning control and a fine tuning adjuster, said control and said adjuster being disposed for access at the same player location, regardless of rotation of the frame.
 15. The construction of claim 14 with a drum rotation control also disposed for access at the same location.
 16. The construction of claim 12 with a pitch control lever coupled to said adjustment means, and also having a pitch indicator coupled to said lever; said frame and drum supporting means being rotatable without uncoupling any of the other parts set forth. 